Hirscher leads the slalom standings ahead of Neureuther and stretched his record of finishing on the podium in every slalom he has completed to 18 races over the past two years.

It was Neureuther's second World Cup win this season, adding to the New Year's Day parallel racing event at Munich, Germany.

He has four career victories and, with by winning the slalom at Wengen he followed his father, Christian, who won on this course in 1973 and '74.

Kostelic also wrote a chapter of personal history by finishing on the Wengen podium for the 12th time. He surpassed Alpine greats Ingemar Stenmark, Marc Girardelli and Didier Cuche - they had 11 top-3 finishes at a single World Cup venue.

"These are the biggest names that Alpine sport has. The moment when you beat these guys is like a dream," the 33-year-old Kostelic said. "Coming into today's race I had this in mind. It seemed like it was a good chance."

Kostelic was cheered by a crowd of 8,000, including a flag-waving group of Croatia fans who traditionally arrive to support him on Sundays in Wengen.

In a tight race on a clear, sunny day, Hirscher had 14 rivals within one second of him after the morning run, though one expected challenge faded.

Alexis Pinturault of France, whose slick slalom run Friday lifted him to victory in the super-combined event, almost skied out and did not qualify for the second run.

Ligety's teammates David Chodounsky and Will Brandenburg finished outside the top-30 racers who qualified.